Does she appreciate classical dance in gymnastics?
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The burning questions of Anna Pavlova?
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Azerbaijan, Baku and the European Games
There are always compromises to be made when staging mega-events, but The Guardian is reporting today on some unacceptable practices adopted by the Azerbaijan government in an attempt to 'clean up' the city. Citizens have lost their lives. Read the full story here - http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/28/european-games-baku-azerbaijan-fire-clean-up
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56 Burning Questions of Gymnastics - Anna Pavlova responds
Anna Pavlova remains a fan favourite amongst Russia's artistic gymnasts. The European, World and Olympic medallist now competes for Azerbaijan and still impresses with her fluid artistry. Currently recovering from an injury, Anna will not be competing at the forthcoming European Games. However, she is still a strong presence in international gymnastics and says she will not set a time limit on her involvement in the sport.
Alan Owen has delivered this interview with Anna in which the 27 year old star responds to readers' questions. With many thanks to Dina, who did all the translation.
Now read on :
1. Will you compete all around, or focus on your best events as a specialist?
I would like to concentrate on a few events and try to specialize, but I have to work all events and be an all-arounder.
2. What do you think of Aliya Mustafina, and the senior Russian team today?
Aliya is a very talented and strong gymnast.
3. Are you planning any upgrades and how is your training going so far? You've always had a natural talent at vault and you've said in the past that it is your favourite event. Are you planning to do a second vault to be able to qualify to vault finals? Do you think you can still compete the Amanar?
Now as a result of my injury during European Championship there is no point speculating about any upgrades. I’d love to perform an Amanar in competition again.
4. In my opinion you have always been a gymnast who can combine power and high difficulty with beautiful artistry. How would you define artistry in gymnastics and do you think that artistry and dancing has enough importance in the sport today?
I think the level of difficulty in gymnastics is so high, that there is scarcely time and energy to put in training of artistic performance. I would like the athletes to put more efforts into artistry of their performances.
5. What has motivated you to keep competing, well after the age when most women gymnasts have retired?
I just live through gymnastics.
6. How do you look back at your performances in previous World Championships and Olympics? Are you proud of your results, or do you wish anything was different?
Like many gymnasts, I dreamed of and still dream of Olympic gold. But I very much appreciate what I have.
7. How hard was the decision to switch nationalities; how long have you been considering it?
It was not an easy decision for me.
8. What do you think of the Rodionenkos and how they handle the Russian programme?
To take the decision I only needed to have one conversation with the administration of Russian Gymnastics Federation.
10. In your opinion, what ability do you have that makes you better/different from other gymnasts?
Probably my understanding of what I am doing.
11. Did the Rodionenkos have any objections to you switching nationalities and what did they say to you if anything?
Surely I have talked to Andrei Rodionenko about switching to Azerbaijan and he gave his consent at once.
12. Despite being an accomplished gymnast do you think that your age will hinder your chances of competing in Rio in 2016?
I do not want to make any predictions about Rio Olympics, the most important thing is that I have to maintain good health.
13. Was it hard to leave behind your old teammates in Russia?
It will be difficult for me.
14. What do you want to do as a job in future? What do you like to do besides gymnastics?
Maybe I will become a coach, the time will show it.
15. Do you have a boyfriend? How do you manage private life and sport?
At the moment I am single.
16. How were you able to not give up when things were hard and sometimes not fair?
Just keep my head up and go on. )
17. Do you know if any other members of the Russian team are currently considering invitations from Azerbaijan or other countries?
Up to today these Russian gymnasts have switched to Azerbaijan: Yulia Inshina, Christina Pravdina, Marina Nekrasova, Maria Smirnova and Angela Abdullaeva.
18. What did you think of Alexandrov as head coach?
Alexander Alexandrov is a very strong coach.
19. What made you finally decide to compete for Azerbaijan?
Ability to perform at the international level.
20. You have such beautiful flexibility and lines. How do you manage to maintain your flexibility? Are you naturally flexible?
I would not say that I am very flexible by nature. It rather came in the course of training.
21. You're coached by your mother, how does having your mother as your coach help your gymnastics? How do you guys keep your mother and daughter relationship separate from your coach/athlete one?
It is easy to work with your mother only in the beginning. Later personal relationships make training process difficult. It is hard to differentiate, whether it is my mother or it is my coach. And I am sure for my mum it is the same: hard to tell, whether it is a gymnast or a daughter. The only advantage is that we know each other much better and feel each other very well.
22. What has motivated you to keep training and competing after your knee injury and after being overlooked for several World and European teams during the last quad?
In 2008 I thought about finishing my career in gymnastics, but just after the injury when a doctor asked me about my future plans, I answered with no doubt that I would like to return to sport. That was a starting point I think.
23. What did you think of the all-around results at the 2004 Olympics? Did you feel that you were cheated out of a bronze medal?
It was very disappointing to find myself in the 4th place. But that is history.
24. What are your goals in gymnastics?
At the moment I have to recover from my injury. I will think about my targets later.
25. Anna, for so many years you have epitomized the elegant, balletic side of artistic gymnastics. Has classical dance always been a part of your training regime?
I think that a gymnast should be elegant in the first place and then pay attention to increasing difficulty. But only a gymnast, who can combine both elements, can become a champion. We have put lots of time into choreography and classical ballet education.
26. How did you live your Olympic experiences and what differentiated one from the other?
Both my Olympics were psychologically very different. It was easier to perform at my first Olympic Games.
27. Have you had any bad experiences with the Rodionenkos?
Professional sport career is a great stress both for a gymnast and for a coach. So it is not a smooth process.
28. What was the most major setback you have had in your gymnastics career and how did you overcome it?
Probably it was the administrative change at the peak of the career.
29. What was your favourite competition you ever competed in?
Mikhail Voronin Cup
30. Who chooses your floor music and do you get any say in your dance and choreography on floor?
We choose all together: me, my choreographer and my coach, who is also my mother. Sometimes we all take part in composing a new routine, sometimes we can ask other specialists to help.
31. What music do you like to listen to? favourite bands?
I like the music style of the band Nightwish, classical music and many other music styles.
32. How long do you train for and what is your daily schedule?
I am doing gymnastics since the age of 4. My daily schedule depends on the circumstances.
33. What are some of your favorite gymnastics memories (childhood gymnastics memories, funny memories in training, good memories in competitions, etc.)?
We have been in a training camp in Greece once. And we lived in the rooms, next to the gym. So we went for a walk with the junior team on our first day and nobody told us anything. When we came back and the training session was already over, we have found the gym’s door closed… Just at the time it had started raining hard and we could not get inside, as the door was closed. Then one of the girls thought that the senior girls from our group might be taking a bath/sauna and we went there to knock on the windows. It was indeed so, and the seniors have opened a small upper window so we could just climb inside.
34. What are some of the achievements you are most proud of in your career?
I am proud of many achievements, especially my Olympic medals.
35. What is the hardest skill for you?
Amanar vault.
36. What is your favourite skill to perform?
I like the double layout on floor most.
37. Which of your medals are you most proud of?
No achievement is higher than Olympic medal in gymnastics.
38. You've done many great floor routines, which one is your favourite?
Every floor routine is my favourite, because we compose it from our hearts and I try to perform them always from my heart.
39. If you had the chance, who would you have liked to compete against?
I do not have any preferences on the podium, all competitors are equal. You don’t have to be afraid of anyone, but it does not mean you have to underestimate your competitors.
40. What is the funniest moment you've had in your gymnastics career so far?
When I was very little I was performing in the Moscow regional competition, in the city of Fryazino I fell during my floor routine on my tumbling pass on the running steps.
41. Even though you have been denied the chance to compete in major international competitions since 2008, you have maintained a high level of difficulty and the beautiful artistry for which you are so well known in your gymnastics. What motivates you to keep training, and was there ever a time when you thought about quitting?
My desire to return to gymnastics elite competition
42. What emotion best describes how you felt when you received a zero for your second vault in event finals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics? I can't imagine what it must have felt like to put in so much hard work then lose any chance of winning a medal on a mere technicality.
It was a shock!!! But when I understood that with the proper points I would take only 5th place it was a bit easier.
43. Does your knee injury still bother you?
Unfortunately this injury will always have an impact on my gymnastics
44. Will you continue to compete until your 30s/40s?
I do not set any age limits for myself
45. Are you considering adding a fourth pass in your floor routine?
I think that in my case there is no point taking the 4th tumbling pass into my routine.
46. How much does your knee injury affect your choice of tumbling moves?
My knee has rather a big impact on my routine composition in choosing appropriate skills.
47. Where do you train now?
In Moscow and in Baku
48. Which gymnast of any nationality, past or present, do you admire?
There are many great gymnasts I do not want to pick someone out. Every gymnast is unique.
49. What is your favourite gymnastic/acrobatic/dance move and why?
I like double layout on floor. It is power and flying feeling at the same time.
50. You were a member of the national team under two main coaches, Leonid Arkayev and Andrei Rodionenko. Are you able to say anything about the differences in approach between these two head coaches? How did the atmosphere in the team change?
These are two absolutely different types of leading personalities. The atmosphere has changed dramatically.
51. What do you think were the reasons that you were not placed on the national team after 2009?
Mainly because of my injury.
52. Of the current Russian team, whose gymnastics do you appreciate most, and why?
As I already told previously, I do not want to put anyone in a front row. I am in favour of the artistry in gymnastics.
53. We know that your mother is your personal coach, and wonder how she has influenced you? Who else has been influential on your development as a gymnast? Any choreographers, coaches or other gymnasts?
I believe that all people whom I met in my life have influenced me and made me what I am.
54. How is your health? We fans have noticed you always strap your knee well when competing - is everything back to full strength?
My knee needs to be treated constantly, because I had a very serious injury. My doctor does not allow me to do any training without tape.
55. Have you made any decisions about your floor music? Will you be practising a new floor exercise?
My new floor routine is ready, but I will keep the intrigue.
56. We are so pleased to see you come back to competition, we have missed you so much. What do you think are your strengths as a gymnast? What will you hope to improve as you progress?
There are plenty of things I can improve, the most important is to take correct decision, at which point it is better to perform upgrades, whether to emphasise difficulty or execution.
Anna has responded to readers’ questions in this interview. There were too many to present in total, but we condensed the list down to give a true feeling of the range of questions asked. Alan Owen and I would like to thank all of you for your contributions. Many of you also sent Anna friendly wishes – these were all passed on to her personally by Alan.
Those readers whose questions were used word for word include :
Samusama
Anna
Anna from Sweden
Andrea Lawless
Alex Jarvis
Elizabeth Booth
Eric Lamp
Dennis Desormier
Peter Shilston
Alyssia3
Maria Layton
Keizai Kenkyu
Cece from America
Omelianchik 100
Iris from the Netherlands
Kate Magoffin
John3
Jessica Grant
Theunevenbarre
AlessiaChristian
Alan Owen has delivered this interview with Anna in which the 27 year old star responds to readers' questions. With many thanks to Dina, who did all the translation.
Now read on :
1. Will you compete all around, or focus on your best events as a specialist?
I would like to concentrate on a few events and try to specialize, but I have to work all events and be an all-arounder.
2. What do you think of Aliya Mustafina, and the senior Russian team today?
Aliya is a very talented and strong gymnast.
3. Are you planning any upgrades and how is your training going so far? You've always had a natural talent at vault and you've said in the past that it is your favourite event. Are you planning to do a second vault to be able to qualify to vault finals? Do you think you can still compete the Amanar?
Now as a result of my injury during European Championship there is no point speculating about any upgrades. I’d love to perform an Amanar in competition again.
4. In my opinion you have always been a gymnast who can combine power and high difficulty with beautiful artistry. How would you define artistry in gymnastics and do you think that artistry and dancing has enough importance in the sport today?
I think the level of difficulty in gymnastics is so high, that there is scarcely time and energy to put in training of artistic performance. I would like the athletes to put more efforts into artistry of their performances.
5. What has motivated you to keep competing, well after the age when most women gymnasts have retired?
I just live through gymnastics.
6. How do you look back at your performances in previous World Championships and Olympics? Are you proud of your results, or do you wish anything was different?
Like many gymnasts, I dreamed of and still dream of Olympic gold. But I very much appreciate what I have.
7. How hard was the decision to switch nationalities; how long have you been considering it?
It was not an easy decision for me.
8. What do you think of the Rodionenkos and how they handle the Russian programme?
To take the decision I only needed to have one conversation with the administration of Russian Gymnastics Federation.
10. In your opinion, what ability do you have that makes you better/different from other gymnasts?
Probably my understanding of what I am doing.
11. Did the Rodionenkos have any objections to you switching nationalities and what did they say to you if anything?
Surely I have talked to Andrei Rodionenko about switching to Azerbaijan and he gave his consent at once.
12. Despite being an accomplished gymnast do you think that your age will hinder your chances of competing in Rio in 2016?
I do not want to make any predictions about Rio Olympics, the most important thing is that I have to maintain good health.
13. Was it hard to leave behind your old teammates in Russia?
It will be difficult for me.
14. What do you want to do as a job in future? What do you like to do besides gymnastics?
Maybe I will become a coach, the time will show it.
15. Do you have a boyfriend? How do you manage private life and sport?
At the moment I am single.
16. How were you able to not give up when things were hard and sometimes not fair?
Just keep my head up and go on. )
17. Do you know if any other members of the Russian team are currently considering invitations from Azerbaijan or other countries?
Up to today these Russian gymnasts have switched to Azerbaijan: Yulia Inshina, Christina Pravdina, Marina Nekrasova, Maria Smirnova and Angela Abdullaeva.
18. What did you think of Alexandrov as head coach?
Alexander Alexandrov is a very strong coach.
19. What made you finally decide to compete for Azerbaijan?
Ability to perform at the international level.
20. You have such beautiful flexibility and lines. How do you manage to maintain your flexibility? Are you naturally flexible?
I would not say that I am very flexible by nature. It rather came in the course of training.
21. You're coached by your mother, how does having your mother as your coach help your gymnastics? How do you guys keep your mother and daughter relationship separate from your coach/athlete one?
It is easy to work with your mother only in the beginning. Later personal relationships make training process difficult. It is hard to differentiate, whether it is my mother or it is my coach. And I am sure for my mum it is the same: hard to tell, whether it is a gymnast or a daughter. The only advantage is that we know each other much better and feel each other very well.
22. What has motivated you to keep training and competing after your knee injury and after being overlooked for several World and European teams during the last quad?
In 2008 I thought about finishing my career in gymnastics, but just after the injury when a doctor asked me about my future plans, I answered with no doubt that I would like to return to sport. That was a starting point I think.
23. What did you think of the all-around results at the 2004 Olympics? Did you feel that you were cheated out of a bronze medal?
It was very disappointing to find myself in the 4th place. But that is history.
24. What are your goals in gymnastics?
At the moment I have to recover from my injury. I will think about my targets later.
25. Anna, for so many years you have epitomized the elegant, balletic side of artistic gymnastics. Has classical dance always been a part of your training regime?
I think that a gymnast should be elegant in the first place and then pay attention to increasing difficulty. But only a gymnast, who can combine both elements, can become a champion. We have put lots of time into choreography and classical ballet education.
26. How did you live your Olympic experiences and what differentiated one from the other?
Both my Olympics were psychologically very different. It was easier to perform at my first Olympic Games.
27. Have you had any bad experiences with the Rodionenkos?
Professional sport career is a great stress both for a gymnast and for a coach. So it is not a smooth process.
28. What was the most major setback you have had in your gymnastics career and how did you overcome it?
Probably it was the administrative change at the peak of the career.
29. What was your favourite competition you ever competed in?
Mikhail Voronin Cup
30. Who chooses your floor music and do you get any say in your dance and choreography on floor?
We choose all together: me, my choreographer and my coach, who is also my mother. Sometimes we all take part in composing a new routine, sometimes we can ask other specialists to help.
31. What music do you like to listen to? favourite bands?
I like the music style of the band Nightwish, classical music and many other music styles.
32. How long do you train for and what is your daily schedule?
I am doing gymnastics since the age of 4. My daily schedule depends on the circumstances.
33. What are some of your favorite gymnastics memories (childhood gymnastics memories, funny memories in training, good memories in competitions, etc.)?
We have been in a training camp in Greece once. And we lived in the rooms, next to the gym. So we went for a walk with the junior team on our first day and nobody told us anything. When we came back and the training session was already over, we have found the gym’s door closed… Just at the time it had started raining hard and we could not get inside, as the door was closed. Then one of the girls thought that the senior girls from our group might be taking a bath/sauna and we went there to knock on the windows. It was indeed so, and the seniors have opened a small upper window so we could just climb inside.
34. What are some of the achievements you are most proud of in your career?
I am proud of many achievements, especially my Olympic medals.
35. What is the hardest skill for you?
Amanar vault.
36. What is your favourite skill to perform?
I like the double layout on floor most.
37. Which of your medals are you most proud of?
No achievement is higher than Olympic medal in gymnastics.
38. You've done many great floor routines, which one is your favourite?
Every floor routine is my favourite, because we compose it from our hearts and I try to perform them always from my heart.
39. If you had the chance, who would you have liked to compete against?
I do not have any preferences on the podium, all competitors are equal. You don’t have to be afraid of anyone, but it does not mean you have to underestimate your competitors.
40. What is the funniest moment you've had in your gymnastics career so far?
When I was very little I was performing in the Moscow regional competition, in the city of Fryazino I fell during my floor routine on my tumbling pass on the running steps.
41. Even though you have been denied the chance to compete in major international competitions since 2008, you have maintained a high level of difficulty and the beautiful artistry for which you are so well known in your gymnastics. What motivates you to keep training, and was there ever a time when you thought about quitting?
My desire to return to gymnastics elite competition
42. What emotion best describes how you felt when you received a zero for your second vault in event finals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics? I can't imagine what it must have felt like to put in so much hard work then lose any chance of winning a medal on a mere technicality.
It was a shock!!! But when I understood that with the proper points I would take only 5th place it was a bit easier.
43. Does your knee injury still bother you?
Unfortunately this injury will always have an impact on my gymnastics
44. Will you continue to compete until your 30s/40s?
I do not set any age limits for myself
45. Are you considering adding a fourth pass in your floor routine?
I think that in my case there is no point taking the 4th tumbling pass into my routine.
46. How much does your knee injury affect your choice of tumbling moves?
My knee has rather a big impact on my routine composition in choosing appropriate skills.
47. Where do you train now?
In Moscow and in Baku
48. Which gymnast of any nationality, past or present, do you admire?
There are many great gymnasts I do not want to pick someone out. Every gymnast is unique.
49. What is your favourite gymnastic/acrobatic/dance move and why?
I like double layout on floor. It is power and flying feeling at the same time.
50. You were a member of the national team under two main coaches, Leonid Arkayev and Andrei Rodionenko. Are you able to say anything about the differences in approach between these two head coaches? How did the atmosphere in the team change?
These are two absolutely different types of leading personalities. The atmosphere has changed dramatically.
51. What do you think were the reasons that you were not placed on the national team after 2009?
Mainly because of my injury.
52. Of the current Russian team, whose gymnastics do you appreciate most, and why?
As I already told previously, I do not want to put anyone in a front row. I am in favour of the artistry in gymnastics.
53. We know that your mother is your personal coach, and wonder how she has influenced you? Who else has been influential on your development as a gymnast? Any choreographers, coaches or other gymnasts?
I believe that all people whom I met in my life have influenced me and made me what I am.
54. How is your health? We fans have noticed you always strap your knee well when competing - is everything back to full strength?
My knee needs to be treated constantly, because I had a very serious injury. My doctor does not allow me to do any training without tape.
55. Have you made any decisions about your floor music? Will you be practising a new floor exercise?
My new floor routine is ready, but I will keep the intrigue.
56. We are so pleased to see you come back to competition, we have missed you so much. What do you think are your strengths as a gymnast? What will you hope to improve as you progress?
There are plenty of things I can improve, the most important is to take correct decision, at which point it is better to perform upgrades, whether to emphasise difficulty or execution.
Anna has responded to readers’ questions in this interview. There were too many to present in total, but we condensed the list down to give a true feeling of the range of questions asked. Alan Owen and I would like to thank all of you for your contributions. Many of you also sent Anna friendly wishes – these were all passed on to her personally by Alan.
Those readers whose questions were used word for word include :
Samusama
Anna
Anna from Sweden
Andrea Lawless
Alex Jarvis
Elizabeth Booth
Eric Lamp
Dennis Desormier
Peter Shilston
Alyssia3
Maria Layton
Keizai Kenkyu
Cece from America
Omelianchik 100
Iris from the Netherlands
Kate Magoffin
John3
Jessica Grant
Theunevenbarre
AlessiaChristian
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Turin Tournament live streaming
Live streaming of the Turin Tournament begins at 4.30 Turin time - not long to wait. Here's the link - http://www.ginnasticando.it/2015/05/29/torino-diretta-streaming-fgi/
Good luck to all the competitors! Davai, Rossiya!!!
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Russia's future turns gold in Turin
Without too many major errors the team looked well prepared and confident. Their overall score of 224.85 would have placed them fourth in qualifying at the 2014 World Championships, ahead of Britain but just behind their own senior team. Sokova's superb beam routine, which earned a 14.8 thanks to strong execution, would have been Russia's highest beam score at that stage of the competition. Tutkhalyan's 57.4 AA score would have placed her 7th in qualifying, or more significantly Russia's second all arounder.
Melnikova and Tutkhalyan both performed steadily to make a case for themselves as up and coming all arounders, with Tutkhalyan surely sealing her place on the team for the upcoming European Games. She showed courage as well as consistency in nailing her full twisting layout on beam and only needs to clean up a little more all around to add those precious tenths that will make her competitive at world level.
You can find complete scores here - http://dati.federginnastica.it/articoli/allegato_8680.pdf
And videos here - https://m.youtube.com/#/user/Tanya9219/videos
and more videos here, including podium training and some routines not covered by live streaming - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8T4sSh0bcAs
Molodyets, girls! Keep working!!
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Seda Tutkhalyan - Official fan page on Instagram
Follow Seda's official fan page on Instagram!
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European Games information
You will find a schedule, draw etc for the European Games competition here.
It is an unusual format, and not particularly one I like ... Team comp over 2 days, 3 up 2 count.
This also counts as quals for AA and EF with a one per country rule. I'm expecting this to lead to a competition of very little strength in depth.
On the other hand, we will have a chance to see our a Russian team in full flow!
http://cs609626.vk.me/u7252396/docs/7ecbd7ee73fb/Gymnastics_-_Artistic_Games-time_Guide.pdf?extra=O-OaB6jmSbgDDy_SkAwB-JnW7ZrxNpvmr9OPSQD5B3zIbwQTg9sJiyh5yAusOlPfij1rqTh_NAJ4Ek1PZx-hI01bPGtWKAg
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Viktoria Komova - 'In general, I'm rarely sad' - interview with SportsExpress
Courtesy of the RGF/Seda_tutkhalyan_fans on Instagram
Viktoria Komova interview by Vladimir Ivanov, Russian language source - http://www.sport-express.ru/artistic-gymnastics/reviews/884027/
The World Champion told Sports Express' correspondent about her expectations right before her first international competition in three years.
At the Youth Olympic Games 2010 in Singapore Victoria Komova won three gold medals. The athletics legend Yelena Isinbayeva was so inspired by Vika's performance that she ran to congratulate her on all the successes. A year later, Komova won gold on the uneven bars at her first World Championships and in the fight for the AA lost by a paltry 0.033. Viktoria cried. There were no tears a year later when the Voronezh athlete was considered favourite for Olympic gold in the all-around. But an unfortunate mistake in the vault meant that she could not beat the American Gabrielle Douglas.
The worst problems began after Komova returned home with a silver medal from London 2012. Before the New Year Vika sprained her ankle getting out of a car. She recovered, returned to the gym and on her first training ... had a relapse. Plaster and crutches. Vika did not even think of retirement. The sportswoman rehabilitated, restored her programme and was ready for the Russian Cup in 2014. However, just a few days before the start of the competition she came down with serious meningitis with an enteroviral infection.
Komova did not have time to recover for the April 2015 European Championships. However, at the same time the coaching staff began to leak information: Vika will compete at the first European Games in Baku. And so it turned out - the 20-year-old athlete Aliya Mustafina, along with Seda Tutkhalyan also made the Russian team. Sports Express' correspondent spoke with Viktoria. To be honest, I was ready to see in Viktoria's eyes the sadness and weariness of her struggle with external circumstances. In front of me stood a smiling, cheerful girl, whose optimism would be enough for all the athletes who are at the moment on "Round Lake".
Via the gymnastics group on VK.com
- And then there's the long-awaited competition ahead. I bet you're thinking of the days before leaving for Baku.
- Yes. The calendar currently has a line through every day (laughs). I can't wait to get on board. Only then, most likely, will I feel calmer.
- After a series of bizarre injuries you most probably try to control the slightest movement?
- It became ridiculous. Sometimes in my sleep, I dreamed that I hurt the leg. I shuddered and woke up in a cold sweat. Immediately I tried to move my foot and then exhaled. And now, I am aware of every movement. Sometimes even just getting out of bed.
- The first steps after injuries are the most difficult?
- Exactly. I was afraid of absolutely everything: walking, running, jumping. Each new movement was a test.
- How is it possible to be back working in the gym?
- Somehow I pulled myself together and said: "Everything will be okay, that's enough of being afraid."
- A bit like when people give up smoking, you just have to throw out negative thoughts?
- More or less. It's better to use your energy on workout at the gym.
- You came back after a succession of injuries - because you are inspired by the thought of yet another Olympics?
- Not only. I'm also inspired by the thought of going to Baku.
- At the same time the coaching staff have recently questioned your participation in the European Games. Saying, the ankle is still bothering you.
- To be honest, it was all about the score during testing - you could only say anything after we had performed.
- How many people were involved?
- For the three places there were four girls. Aliya Mustafina, me and two younger girls.
- Do you think the test was successful?
- Not really. I did averagely - there were mistakes, falls. But I have shown a programme from which I can make a start.
- Physically you can do all around now without any problems?
- In this regard, I am ready.
- Do not say that you are not afraid to go to your first big tournament in three years.
- Yes, the thought of going back to competition for Russia, with the audience, is a little nerve wracking. Even now. Three years is a lot. But I hope I will go OK.
- Last year you participated in a display competition ...
- In Mexico. I was so worried, it was just incredible! I was standing on the beam, I had the shakes, and the beam did too. I thought to myself, "Vika, what's up?!"
- What if Baku will be the same?
- Now I have a large safety margin. I am becoming more confident. In testing, I did enough to feel more or less calm.
- What were you afraid of?
- Falling. I understand that after the break I will not be condemned for it, but it is still a worry.
- In childhood you had no fear?
- No. But then I had one competition right after another, and now I have had a long break. Now the situation is quite different.
- What was the most difficult moment during these three years?
- Each of the injuries. After the last one I thought: there is always something happening - it never ends - I'm finished with the sport. But then I realized that for me exercise is like a drug. There is nothing to do but go to the gym. I think I will not be able to give it up until I die.
- Well, after silver in London you were going to quit.
- Yeah, for as much as 15 minutes.
- Your conflict with coach Gennady Elfimov - that was another emotional outburst?
- Yes. It was very hard. One injury was replaced by another. Accumulated moral fatigue. At some point I could not stand it.
- What happened then?
- I began slowly to recover with guidance from the experts at training camp. And then I realized that without my coach I couldn't get anywhere. He is for me - he is like family.
- You approached him?
- Yes, I called and said: "I need you, I can not train without you."
- How long did it take to understand this?
- About three months.
- You very much like the competition. What are you missing the most?
- Adrenaline, the audience, clapping after a good performance. It's such a thrill - you land successfully, there is applause, you run and hug the coach.
- What result in Baku will be enough for your self-satisfaction?
- Gold Medal.
- So soon? In the all-around?
- Yes Yes. Probably, I will fight it out with Aliya.
- Elfimov said that you do not need to set new programmes, but just re establish all the London ones.
- Yes. Although we do have something to add. While I will not say what it is, I hope to show new elements and connections in Baku.
- On uneven bars?
- And on the floor.
- Will you be able to compete with the Americans?
- At the moment my routines are not yet sufficiently polished and restored, but for the World Championships everything should be fine. I am saying nothing about the Olympics!
- But Rio won't be the end?
- No no. I will compete as much as I can!
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Crossing the beam - a legacy of moves
Artistic gymnastics has seen more than its fair share of intervention over the past twenty five years or so as it has adapted to a new world order. The FIG makes continual changes to the Code of Points and to competition formats that directly influence the way the sport is performed, the content of the routines we see in competition and the quality of performance. The nature of innovation has even been dampened down by current rules. While we see an immense amount of content and brand new connections thrown into the sport there aren't often those heart-in-mouth moments that the first Tkachev or Yurchenko vault induced. Then again, your perception of what is brand new is bound to be influenced by what you have seen before ... perhaps I am just too old to be impressed any more?
Gymnastics nevertheless possesses a huge legacy of innovation and imagination that guides its development into the future. I wanted to provide an example of that in the form of a few video extracts to show the development of myriad sideways manoeuvres on the beam (you will no doubt be able to think of more, so please comment!) Palmer (2003) discusses the idea of a 'sieve of taste' whereby new and innovative techniques and movements gradually disappear or become integrated into the canon of 'classical' gymnastics thanks to a process of collective appreciation and peer imitation. (He comments that the classical is increasingly rare in gymnastics, something he attributes to the strongly prescriptive direction of the Codes of Points.)
It is true that there is a current Code requirement for sideways movement on the beam but this seems to have resulted in little more than a few cautiously handled side steps or an isolated side somersault or two. 2014 European beam champion Maria Kharenkova, and 2014 World beam champion Simone Biles both dismiss sideways moves in less than a few seconds, presumably to make more time for the somersaults and turns along the beam that make up more of their D value. It's true that work across the beam is notoriously difficult because of the danger of losing balance, and of course consistency and reliability is vital if you are to contend for medals.
However, some of the most spectacular moves in gymnastics were worked across the beam. This is a whole family of moves that were considered revolutionary in their time.
Beam - the Crossways Legacy
Svetlana Grozdova, born 1959, competed for the Soviet team at the 1976 Olympics and was renowned for her innovative work across the beam, her best piece. (She went on to become a World Champion in mixed pairs sports acrobatics.) She was coached by Ruslan Lavrov from the CSKA Club in Rostov-on-Don. Lavrov went on to coach 2000 Olympian Elena Produnova, and the 2014 European beam champion also trains at the same club.
View Grozdova's 1976 Olympics routine here to see her pirouette in handstand to forward loop around the beam - the first of its kind.
Natalia Yurchenko, 1983 World Champion, had a pre-career in the late 1970s as a 'Wunderkind' whose extraordinary difficulty exceeded that of her older, more experienced, contemporaries. However, ill health slowed her progress. It wasn't until 1982 that the Rostov based gymnast (trained by Vladislav Rotstorotsky) began to harvest good competition results. Watch her beam routine from that year's World Cup to see the Yurchenko loop. It is a direct progression from Grozdova's work.
In 1987, defending AA world champion Oksana Omelianchik, from Kiev, took the next step: a flick quarter turn down to circle around the beam. Anastasia Kolesnikova performed a variant of this at the 2000 Olympics.
In the same year, at the Batumi junior competition, we saw a tiny Marina Goriounova from the Moscow Dynamo club, trained by Elvira Saadi and Vladimir Zaglada, complete a flick flack across the beam.
Her team mate, Tatiana Groshkova, was already doing an amazing combination : crossways flick flack, followed by the Yurchenko circle :
At the 2001 European Championships, 2004 Olympian and 2002 European beam champion Liudmilla Ezhova from Moscow presents her version of the move: flick half turn splits, half turn to swing down.
I can't finish this post without referring back to the brilliance of Grozdova; the video records may now be fuzzy and difficult to watch, but the gymnastics still shines. Grozdova innovated more than just the crossways moves we have been discussing, she also began the trend for one armed handstands.
And any record of beam innovation can't omit the fantastic Natalia Shaposhnikova, 1980 Olympian. 'Shapo', as she was known by her team mates and close friends, took the one armed handstand into another atmosphere as she tilted off the axis of the beam, a feat rarely if ever repeated in future. She is another Rostov gymnast, coached by Rotstorotsky and Tourischeva and a contemporary and team mate of Yurchenko.
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Aliya, Vika and Seda - three 'great team mates' speak about the firstday of the European Games
Courtesy of the RGF
Interviews with each of the Russian gymnasts at this week's European Games - Aliya Mustafina, Viktoria Komova and Seda Tutkhalyan - have appeared in the Russian press. Here are excerpts.
Victoria Komova: this is my first competition after my break - I hope that things will only get better.
Today, June 14, at the first European Games in Baku (Azerbaijan) the gymnastics tournament began. For the women there were qualifying competitions on the vault and uneven bars. Russia's Viktoria Komova vault score was 14.566, and on uneven bars - 14.866. Mark Skoda of Allsport reports.
- Right before my performances, I had goose pimples all over my body, said Viktoria Komova. - A lot of spectators, great excitement. They all clapped and generally very actively supported us. I have not performed at many major events recently, so was a little excited.
- How did it go in the vault and on the uneven bars?
- On bars I don't think I will get to the final. It's 100 per cent certain that Aliya Mustafina has made it. She scored 15.2 points, I - 14.8. I, as always, touched the lower bar, and because of that I had half a point deduction. Because of this, I'm upset. Not everything worked out the way I wanted. I repeat: this is my first start after the break. I hope that things will only get better. The main thing is that now, thank God, there is no pain.
- Why didn't you try a second vault?
- We decided that at the beginning. I made only one attempt - to be selected to finals, you need to do two. So, today I didn't qualify to either final. In the team tournament, we are in first position, tomorrow's a different competition, with two more apparatus. But I think that we can maintain our position (smiles).
Source - http://www.allsportinfo.ru/index.php?id=93662
Aliya Mustafina: Vika Komova and Seda Tutkhalyan are great team mates. I like the way we work as a team.
2012 Olympic champion Aliya Mustafina received 15.133 points on the vault, and on uneven bars - 15.200. Mark Skoda reports.
- I am happy with today's performance, - said Aliya Mustafina. - Things turned out even better than I expected. But we must understand that there have only been two rounds, and tomorrow we expect the floor exercise and beam. The beam is known to be unpredictable (the direct translation of the words Aliya uses are 'fond of kicking') (smiles). I did not qualify to the vault final as I only performed one vault. I'm still restoring my programme after injury and did not set maximal targets for all apparatus. I have qualified to the uneven bars final. Vika Komova and Seda Tutkhakyan are great team mates. I like the way we work as a team. What is important is that my health is all right.
Source - http://www.allsportinfo.ru/index.php?id=93664
Seda Tutkhalyan: I have a chance to reach the vault final
Russia's Seda Tutkhalyan received 14.966 points for vault and on uneven bars - 14.166. Mark Skoda. reports.
- The European Games are my first serious start in adult sports, - said Seda Tutkhalyan. - I'm very nervous, especially not to let the team down. Because it is a big responsibility. I really like Baku, it's a nice and friendly town.
- Are you satisfied with your performance?
- I could perform the second vault better, but I went over the line on the carpet and got a penalty. On the bars it is the first time I have received such a high score, I'm glad. But the score on the bars is still lower than that of our other girls, as they had higher difficulty. So I haven't qualified to this apparatus final. Aliya Mustafina and Vika Komova only tried one vault and so can't qualify to the final there. Therefore, I have a chance to qualify.
Source - http://www.allsportinfo.ru/index.php?id=93663
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'Rosebud' of the Russian team, Tutkhalyan, hopes for gold on beam, topthree on vault
Unsurprisingly, there has been a whole gamut of press interviews today. In one of the best ones, with Aliya, the champion explained how she is still only really at 55% at this competition - it's only necessary, she says, to be at 100% for the Olympics - you don't want to peak too soon. Andrei Rodionenko confirmed that this was be a more difficult competition to win than European Championships, because the 3-2 format in team, and one-per-country rule in finals evens out the field and provides a boost to the weaker countries. Viktoria Komova said she was a little disappointed not to qualify for a final, but couldn't really complain as it was her first competition in three years. David Belyavski explained that he decided not to compete on the high bar thanks to a wrist injury; the Russian MAG had already won the gold, anyway. Seda Tutkhalyan says that she wants to compete for gold on beam, or to finish in the top three in both of her finals.
So it's a bright and sunny day in Russian gymnastics, in particular for the women where two comebacks were sealed and a newcomer showed her future intentions. All three gymnasts performed vibrantly and there was a real chemistry that seemed to provide support and confidence for all the team.
The youngest gymnast turned in some exercises of extraordinary precision and courage, especially on beam. Here is an interview she gave with Sports Express.
'Who really shone with happiness was 15-year-old Seda Tutkhalyan. The rosebud of the senior team didn't just qualify to two individual finals, she also managed to take second place in the AA, beating Viktoria Komova by .4. Her performance surprised even her rivals - the whole team from Denmark waited a good 20 minutes for the winner of the Youth Olympic Games in 2014 to finish her interviews with journalists just to have their picture taken with her.
Seda Tutkhalyan - "winning in the all around is easier than the individual events"
- It's a shame not to qualify to the all-around after finishing in second place in qualifying?
- But what can you do, this is the rule. Finishing ahead of Aliya would be very difficult. She is very experienced. It's okay, I have other causes for joy to come - the task set was to qualify for the finals on the balance beam and vault, and I have managed to do it.
- For your first adult start you were very composed.
- I was nervous! I just shook for the whole of the first day. But the second was much better. Though I had to go first each time for the team. It's a big responsibility!
- You had to beat Komova?
- After the first day I was losing to her. But on the beam I had a slightly higher D value and so managed to get a slightly higher mark.
- Where do you have your best start values?
- On those apparatus, for which I have qualified to the final. On floor my routine is rather weak, and my bars generally need much more work. But it's a matter of time. Maybe I will be able to surprise people at the world championships.
- And win medals in the vault and balance beam?
- I would also like to compete in the all-around ...
- Wow.
- And in the AA I will win more easily.
- Seriously?
- You go from one apparatus to the next and do not have time to think. But when one gets to the finals - your head can be full of unnecessary thoughts.
- So how then will you adjust to finals in Baku?
- No problem. I've done my job, at least. Now I have no pressure.
- Do you know that the most titled gymnast in history, Larisa Latynina, very much wanted to see you at these events?
- No (laughs). Great!
- For gymnasts, Latynina must be like Alexander Karelin is for fighters?
- Probably. Although for me the biggest idol - Lenka Zamolodchikova.
- Lenka ?!
- We know each other. But I like her, of course, for other reasons. I very much love to watch her performance.
- Is it true that your father is a coach of Sambo?
- Not really. He is a three-time world champion in sambo. And now he heads the women's team of Belarus in judo. He is now with my brother Vaik in Minsk.
- How is your brother doing?
- He won the European championships and medalled at Worlds..
- Do you live with your mum in Moscow?
- And another brother. But he is not an athlete. He likes to study.
- With your father, probably, it was hard to stay out of sport.
- That's right (laughs). At one point my brothers also went to the gym. Only then they switched to wrestling. I luckily remained. I remember, going to the first training session, I saw a trampoline and learned how to jump.
- How old were you?
- Seven. For gymnastics that is very late. Usually at this age a club will not even take you.
- Come on, I started at six - smiled Aliya Mustafina as she passed by.
- But still it is late - insisted Tutkhalyan. After one and a half or two years, I was, frankly, tired. But Dad persuaded me to stay. Soon we began to learn more complex elements, and I was curious.
- And you were not scared?
- Yes, but that is part of the excitement.
- What else can you do at the Olympic Village?
- Chat with close friends and even classmates.
- Like who?
- I go to school with diver Nikita Nikolayev, and there are girls here from the Youth Olympics. I am good friends with Sonia Skomoroch.
Source : http://www.sport-express.ru/others/reviews/886680/
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Aliya Mustafina interview with Bolshoi Sport - and some upgrade news
Photograph of Aliya Mustafina by Platon Shilikov, courtesy of Bolshoi Sport
As I mentioned early in May, Aliya features in a special interview/photo feature in this month's edition of the Alexei Nemov backed glossy magazine Bolshoi Sport. You can access a digital copy at http://www.bolshoisport.ru/issues (no 6 (93)) or buy hard copies at Zinio - http://ru.zinio.com/www/browse/product.jsp?rf=sch&productId=500305166
I will be trying to buy some copies of the magazine myself in the next few days.
The interview is very interesting - I have summarised most of the key points below.
I should add to this some exciting news that Veronika heard this morning on Russian TV (from videos currently geo-blocked in the UK) - Aliya has said that for Rio she is working on upgrades on vault (the Amanar, maybe?), bars and beam. Along with her double straight and turn combination on floor, that's a significant workload Aliya has set herself! She is very inspirational, and this is exciting news.
Now read on - the following interview summary is courtesy of Bolshoi Sport - please be careful to credit and link them if you copy the pictures or any of the text.
About injury
Already I am training at full strength. It still hurts, but not as much - there is nothing that can be done. The German doctors seem to have found the problem, prescribed medication and special exercises, but one can't completely get rid of the pain. In any case, I can do the things that I need to, try something new and prepare my programme.
About the European Games in Baku
I'll be back on the podium in Baku in June. My programme won't seriously differ from the one I presented at the World Championships in China- it won't be so easy to come up with something radically new. I will try to do some things more cleanly. Changes in the rules have reduced the complexity of my programme on the uneven bars, and we will have to seriously alter it.
About the American women
They are not like us, they are powerful, less artistic. But in modern gymnastics a lack of femininity does not reduce the marks. Yes, there is talk that our sport must again become beautiful, but these are only words. We will try to meet the modern realities, but choreography is my big strong point ('Aliya says 'trump' as if in a card game).
About the juniors
I get on with them well, I try to support them and help. I restrain myself, trying to be calm. One can not show that you are nervous, as the negative feeling can be passed to them.
About teammates
All the girls who spoke at the European championship are very funny. Masha Paseka wasn't supposed to go to the European Championships, and only came in at the last minute. Without having a chance to try out the arena and apparatus, she still managed to win. That's awesome. Dasha Spiridonova is a great person. Masha Kharenkova, who came second in the all-around, never gives up. She often likes to say something funny in training. I'm sure she has a great future. And Ksenia Afanasyeva is the Queen of the floor.
Then there is Vika Komova, who hasn't performed for a long time, and plans to be back on the podium in time for Baku. We often chat, discuss our return.
A new coach
I like working with Sergei Starkin. He speaks his mind and does what he says he will, always owns up to his mistakes, and thoroughly explains what we have to do and why it is necessary to do so. Sergei Valerivich made me promise that I would go to bed on time, not to drink cola. It does not bother me that my coach also works with Denis Ablyazin. From the beginning I knew that if Sergei V agreed to be my coach, he would do everything possible to share his efforts and make sure that no one is left unattended.
The end of her career
I still have time. I do not know how the rest of my life after sports will go, and I'm not thinking about it. I am concentrating on what's happening now.
About her car
I have a very ordinary car. Behind the wheel I feel pretty confident, but I'm still an inexperienced driver. But I drive carefully, and when I know the way, it's not scary. I am used to traffic jams.
About cats
In my Instagram there are photos of me with cats, but personally I do not have any. Unfortunately I can't have one because at Round Lake there is nobody to look after the cat, and at home Dad does not really want pets.
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Viktoria Komova - I will be ready for the Rio Olympic Games. Interviewwith the Russian WAG team.
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| Aliya shows off the team#s patriotic manicure! Picture courtesy of the RGF |
Now read on ...
Interview with Dmitry Zanin (correspondent).
A couple of years ago an interview with Aliya was a difficult test for a journalist, but now everything is quite different.
- So was your job simply to win and nothing else? Or just to compete with all your strength and show everything that you can do?
Aliya - Not at all, you can't set a target to win or to take first place - the task was the same for everyone. We had to compete our programmes, perform well enough and then the result will follow.
- How is your health, how much of your programme is ready, do you have pain?
Vika - No trouble or pain, I am about 70% ready. It is hard to compete in an international arena after such a long time, unsettling, especially on beam. My floor landings were not very confident. I hope I will become more confident in future.
- Many viewers will be surprised that you are already twenty years old - what do you think?
Vika - Well it seems only recently that I was a 15 year old at the YOG in Singapore, then 16 years old at the Olympic Games. Time flies by very quickly.
- You had a difficult three years - injury, illness
Vika - Yes, it was very difficult. I have recovered, but I did have injuries time and again. I had to take two breaks over these three years.
- This year you missed the Russian Championships, the European Championships, and the preparation for these competitions. Your long break from competition must have affected your performances - maybe you were overexcited!
Aliya - In my life I have experienced a long break from competition (my knee) so it isn't difficult for me now. The hardest thing was vault. I just raised my hand, made the vault, and everything became easier.
- You're very satisfied?
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| Vika - satisfied |
- What are your plans for next year's Olympic Games?
Vika - I will be ready.
- You want to compete, do you have the strength?
Vika - That's the reason I came back.
- Your routines here - will they be your programme for Rio?
Aliya - I'll be doing different things on different apparatus - beam more or less the same, uneven bars I will add a little bit, vault, I will try the Amanar or learn something new. My floor also will be better.
About Rio (second video)
Aliya - I really want to prepare and perform, I want to compete in Rio. But after Rio, we will see; it depends on my health, my motivation. After so many years in the sport, it's difficult.
- Lots of foreign journalists want to talk to you, will you learn English?
Aliya - No, not yet (laughs). After training all I really want to do is sleep, I don't want to learn English.
- How tall were you at the Olympics?
Vika - 150 cm
- and now?
Vika - 162 cm
- How can you continue to do gymnastics when you have grown twelve centimetres?
Vika - It's very difficult and painful. I've had to redo all of my combinations all over again, especially on the bars. That is a little bit difficult. It's necessary to go back to the start again, but everything is very exciting for me, as usual.
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| Seda Tutkhalyan with her gold medal on Monday. You can just about see the manicure! |
- One of the smallest athletes is 142 cms. So, let's talk about your manicure.
Seda - My mum suggested the manicure, it matches our leotards and the colour of the flag.
- Did you want that?
Seda - I didn't think about it, my mother suggested it (smile).
- Were you nervous to be in the company of Olympic champions, at your first senior competition?
Seda - Yesterday I was a little bit more worried, but I am used to it now.
Sportbox video link
Rossiya 2 video link
Hopefully, the videos will be posted on Youtube some time soon, so that we can view them as well as read Veronika's fab translations.
THANK YOU VERONIKA!
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It has to be more than simple coincidence
So much gold has to be more than simple coincidence.
Congratulations Aliya, and Nikita Ignatyev, who won a bronze in the MAG AA! Well done Russia!
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Mustafina should peak at Worlds, says coach Starkin
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| Aliya Mustafina today with her gold medal. Courtesy of the RGF. |
It wasn't a classic all around competition. The format saw to that, with many of the best gymnasts left behind on the bench thanks to the one-gymnast-per-country rule. It would have been nice to see Komova, or Germany's Elisabeth Seitz on the competition floor, but that wasn't possible. We did, however, get to see some vintage Mustafina along the way. Another gold medal for the gymnastics Queen only serves to underline that her multifarious victories have been anything but fluke.
Russian Aliya Mustafina came to the competition as the strong favourite, but she must have had a few sleepless nights during the break since Monday's team final. You can't rely on anything in gymnastics; competitions are regularly decided by the most ridiculously small decimal margin. In this case, any slip could have allowed Switzerland's Giulia Steingrueber to repeat her gold medal from the European Championships earlier this year. And while Mustafina would have known that she didn't need to be at 100% to beat Steingrueber, she would most certainly have wanted to be sure of reinforcing her reputation as a winner. Defeat by the European Champion would not have been good for her comeback to major competition.
This perhaps explains the rather relieved, but dignified demeanour surrounding Mustafina's victory today. There is an understanding that while this is a valuable title in its own right, it's only part of Aliya's road to full competitive readiness, and there was still plenty of room for improvement. 'We will do everything to hit peak form at the World Championships', said Sergei Starkin to Rsport earlier today. 'These Games are one of the steps along the road of preparation for Worlds, even if the competition itself can hardly be considered minor. The World Championships are the qualifying event for the Olympics, so they are very important.'
'We have changed several things in Aliya's programme and tried them out here. For the future World Championships, we will make some adjustments and try to come into top form. Mustafina is not in the best shape, and needs more time to get used to her new programme and to add more polish to her routines.'
Mustafina adopted the same realistic tone to her performance today. 'Compared with qualifications, I did some things better, other things worse', she told Allsport. 'I can't hide my failures behind a seven month break (smiles), this does not give me the right to call it a perfect performance'. Aliya explained that on both beam and floor she had had errors, and that there was much work to be done on floor, which was her weakest piece.
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| Aliya and coach Sergei Starkin in discussion during today's all around competition. Courtesy of the RGF |
But here, in Baku, those clinch performances did include some rather obvious errors. Despite the margin of victory, was Aliya happy with her competition? Did she feel the pressure of a competition that everyone expected her to win? 'Even though I saw there was a two point gap between me and Giulia, I wanted not just to win, but to win the competition with dignity', she said. 'This competition is an important step on the road to Rio'. It had been hard being the last to perform on floor; there had been a long wait. She didn't like the competition format, which forced them to wait many days between qualifications and finals, and split team finals over two days. Asked about upgrades, she said she didn't want to talk, it was too soon. She handled the press with all the aplomb of an experienced politician.
I read earlier today a discussion on one of the gym forums about Mustafina. Could she hope to challenge Biles at her best, 60+ scoring potential? Could she possibly win in Glasgow, and/or Rio? I didn't make my contribution : how should I know? There are people far more knowledgeable than me who would say : 'I never make predictions'. Aliya herself would probably say, it's far too early to think about that; you can't set a target of winning a competition, you can only do your best. Who knows what will happen. I would say: Biles is certainly the favourite both for Glasgow and Rio. But who knows in gymnastics. Better wait and see.
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Sergei Starkin - for the Rio Olympics we will upgrade several routines
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| Aliya Mustafina and Sergei Starkin - courtesy of the RGF |
- How do you work with Aliya Mustafina?
- We just get on. We had predicted her victory here, knowing that Aliya is not only the undisputed leader of the national team, but also the main favourite in European gymnastics. Today, we are right, and very happy.
- Not everything turned out the way Aliya would like. Are there no plans to increase the complexity of her programmes?
- Yes, for the Olympic Games in Rio, we plan to upgrade vault, uneven bars and floor exercise. In addition, we want to improve the quality of performance. At this competition we have developed new routines on the uneven bars and the floor exercise. This is a big step forward.
- Mustafina wobbled a little on the beam, perhaps the most difficult gymnastic apparatus. How can you avoid this? After all, the level of her rivals in Rio will be fundamentally different.
- It can not be prevented 100 percent - artists are just real people, like everyone else. I can not say that this is some kind of fault. You just have to work long and hard to refine performance in training that then becomes habit in competition.
- Prior to the start of the individual all-around everyone predicted: "Mustafina will be the first." Is this a pressure that the athlete carries on a subconscious level?
- She is very stable psyche, she loves to compete! In her eyes there is no fear, no doubt, therefore, forecasts and expectations don't really amount to pressure.
- What do you feel during the performances of your gymnasts? What do you think?
- I'm always very excited, and sometimes I think that my nerves will never recover!
The interviewer says that at the beginning of the interview Starkin was very laconic - but by the end he finished his interview with a sincere smile.
The interviewer says that at the beginning of the interview Starkin was very laconic - but by the end he finished his interview with a sincere smile.
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'In Baku, I showed a sketch ... now, I must paint in bright colours' Viktoria Komova interview
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| Komova and Mustafina - two great champions on one team. Courtesy of the RGF |
Not so very long ago - April 2014 to be precise - I published an article on this blog entitled 'Does Komova need gymnastics?'. In a fairly roundabout way, I questioned Viktoria Komova's desire to continue as a gymnast. It seemed that everywhere one looked, people were demanding her comeback to big time sport, assuming that gymnastics would be all she wanted to do. I thought that perhaps the gymnast had decided to give up; did she have the desire to continue? The most likely outcome, surely, was retirement, a focus on a new life path. I hoped I was wrong, but thought I was right.
Now, I am glad to say, it is clear that I was completely and utterly wrong. At the European Games Komova has shown that she is in the process of perfecting what could end up as one of the most prodigious sporting comebacks of all time. Read this interview with Championnat, in which she describes the challenges she has faced over the past three years and the agony of continuing in the face of grinding doubt, painful injuries and a very serious illness. Her comeback is quite remarkable.
Interview with gymnast Viktoria Komova
The double vice-champion of the 2012 Olympic Gymnastics, Viktoria Komova, has become one of the main talking points of the European Games in Baku. Komova has not competed for three years, during which she has constantly been fighting illness and injuries. There had almost been a verdict on her - that she would not return. But the star of London not only returned, she won - in the team tournament.
- Viktoria, I confess, I did not recognize you in Baku. In three years your appearance has changed, and that's a compliment.
- Thank you, I really have changed. First of all, I have grown - I am taller, and have put on weight. Now I'm no longer the smallest on the team - I'm not used to that. But I have also changed as a person. It happened gradually, over all of these three years. They have been a very difficult three years for me.
- I was told that many people, including members of your family, tried to persuade you to finish with gymnastics and end your suffering, after all these misfortunes.
- It was quite the opposite! In my moments of weakness, I wanted to finish, and my mother would urge more patience. The dialogues were along the lines of, "I've become tired of it all, I will study and find a job, stop torturing myself!" - "Think of all the many years you have dedicated to one cause, and now you have to start from scratch in another. It will be much harder than continuing to train." My family would have supported me either way, but I realized that my mother was right.
- Where will your Baku 2015 medal be, in your collection?
- I will remember it as my first medal after my comeback. ... This is a comeback. For three years I did not really compete. Some things didn't work, I can't hide that, but I have to show everyone that Viktoria Komova is an active competing gymnast, she is training and getting ready to recover her position. This is now the main thing.
- Would you say that that happened?
- Speaking figuratively, in Baku, I showed a sketch of what I would like. Now, I must carefully paint the picture in bright colours. ...
- Who is the artist?
- My coach is Gennady Borisovich Elfimov. I was completely satisfied with our work. We already know each other by heart, from my very childhood. Even when we quarreled and parted, there wasn't really anything much wrong.
- Who is the artist?
- My coach is Gennady Borisovich Elfimov. I was completely satisfied with our work. We already know each other by heart, from my very childhood. Even when we quarreled and parted, there wasn't really anything much wrong.
- So I wanted to ask about it: did you really want him to go?
- There was a time, yes. I found this necessary. I was trying to understand what I needed, and I reasoned that something was wrong with us. Then at some point I realized that I was wrong, I should work with Elfimov. We have been together again since March, after the completion of the national championship. It felt like coming home after a trip and I was much quieter at heart.
- Was there a point during these three years, when you were desperate?
- This was probably the meningitis. On my second attempt to return (there was a third - when my leg became a problem). We did not understand where I picked up this infection. There were only three days left before selection for the 2013 World Championships. I felt fine, fully prepared. I did the evening workout, then during the night I had terrible headache. I did not sleep all night, and the next day I was taken to hospital, where I stayed for the next two months. The doctors said that I could forget sport - but they did not talk me into retiring. I, thank God, did not really believe that this was a serious diagnosis.
- The most difficult thing after such an illness is to resume the previous level of activity.
- Three months after discharge from hospital I was told that I should not even go anywhere near the gym. I, of course, did not really listen. I tried to start training early. But as I increased the load the headaches came back. This went on for about a month, then began to ease off.
- Don't you think it was a risk to come directly to the European Games? Maybe you should have begun with one of the Russian competitions where the audience is smaller, and there is almost no pressure?
- To be honest, I just wanted to finally get back to competition! Best of all - abroad. There is adrenaline when you go to the apparatus, everyone is clapping, chanting, waving flags. That's my motivation, I miss it! And in Baku, I got it all. It was exactly what I need now.
- You have been on the national team since you were a schoolgirl. How has your role on the team changed?
- I look at Seda Tutkhalyan and realize that it was only very recently that I was the same. I try to support and help her everywhere. Almost, be like a mum to her. It is not just age, but the fact is that I have really matured.
- What does that mean?
- My dialogue with the coaches is structured differently. Previously it would be "Vika, you must do this and that." I would nod and do it. But now I try to rationalise, what I need to do. ... The coaches, too, understand that I'm not a little girl anymore....
- How do you now think about your silver in the all-around in London?
- At that time I was unhappy. ... Three years later, it seems to me that this was a good result that I should be proud of.
- In discussions gymnastics fans sometimes suggest that your coaches were to blame for your injuries. You were pushed to soon to go to London, they say.
- But how so ... this is a kind of nonsense. If I didn't make my start at the Olympics then, when would I? This is gymnastics, there are other approaches to age.
- So what was the matter, why did you experience this series of physical breakdowns?
- Now, I think maybe I did not rest properly after London. Almost immediately we were taken to Spain for an Olympic recovery camp, then two weeks later we resumed training. As well as this I began to mature, and without rest I just continued my work. I do not really know, it is unlikely that anyone will give an exact answer to this question.
- Right now, you feel completely healthy?
- Absolutely. Some things ache, but within reason - this is the same for all gymnasts.
- If it turns out that you are unable to return to your previous level and will miss the Olympic team, will it be a tragedy for you?
- I do not plan not to be selected to Rio. By the way, I have not even thought about this possibility once - you're the first one to speak of it. No, no, that's impossible. This is the specific purpose for which I came back.
- Four years ago, was it easier than it is now?
- Well, I was a different person then. In all senses of the word. Less tall, lighter weight, a simpler way of thinking. Now things are more difficult. But this is only the beginning. ...
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Russia, 2015 - review after the European season
Gymnastics revolves around the Olympics. Competition and training therefore runs in a four-yearly cycle. Gymnasts regroup and rebuild in the first two years of the cycle, peak in Olympic year and set the scene for their possible victories in pre-Olympic year. So what happened in competition in 2013 and 2014 was relatively unimportant, but now, in 2015, the gymnasts have to begin to show their mettle. Countries have to qualify for the Olympics at this winter's World Championships, and individual gymnasts must demonstrate over the coming year that they are ready to be selected for their respective teams.
For Russia, qualification is the prime concern this autumn. In Glasgow we will not see the full 'finished' article by any means and the gymnastics will to a fair extent carry the 'work in progress' label. What did the European Games tell us about the state of their readiness for this important competition?
Andrei Rodionenko has already said that there is no lock on the team for the forthcoming World Championships - and that includes Viktoria Komova and her London Olympics team mate, Aliya Mustafina. The European Games were a training competition for them, he says. Some things worked out, others didn't and the final team selection will be determined at the Russia Cup where all gymnasts will begin from zero. Their routines shown in Baku were all incomplete, as both gymnasts are still recovering from injury.
Viktoria Komova in particular has much work to do, says Rodionenko. She has matured on a personal level and is technically ready for a lot, but has not competed for three years, leaving much work to be done on her competition psychology.
In my opinion Rodionenko isn't seriously suggesting that Komova and Mustafina might not make the Glasgow team, although Komova might still have something to prove; he is just underlining that the Russians have some difficult work to do if they are to look at all prepared to participate in the run-up to the Rio Olympics, and that no one can rest on their laurels.
I like Seda a lot - while her D values need some work everywhere, she is what I would call a 'gymnast for the big occasion'. Her performance quality goes up every time she hits the big stage and she did not look overawed or out of place alongside her legendary team mates. You can train discipline and consistency, but you cannot train motivation or ambition. While gymnasts like Spiridonova and Kharenkova occasionally appear a little nervous as they approach the floor, moral courage appears to be Tutkhalyan's big trump card. You can see it in her eyes.
Seda's big problem, however, is that she is an all arounder - and while Russia needs all arounders, the World Championships team format means that unless they have at least one big scoring piece, their value to a team is compromised. Unless Komova falls by the wayside, Seda will likely be competing against Kharenkova, Spiridononova and Afanasyeva for her place on the team - and, unless she becomes a whole lot more reliable, she is likely to lose out to the high scoring potential these girls have on various apparatus. My guess is that in Glasgow, if all is well with the health of the remaining team members, she will be the travelling reserve.
Aliya Mustafina made the greatest impact of all the female gymnasts at the Baku Games, winning three out of the possible six gold medals, plus a silver on floor. Rodionenko says that he has confidence that both she and Komova will continue to make progress in the coming months and there doesn't seem to be much doubt that the 2012 Olympic gold medallist will be selected for Glasgow, assuming that she continues to heal her injuries and to consolidate the new programme and performance improvements that she and coach Sergei Starkin have been working on since spring.
Of course this wouldn't be gymnastics if there weren't some kind of controversy about the marking. Rodionenko simply says that Aliya's floor performance (and Belyavski's p bars) 'were worth more than silver', and this is certainly borne out by suggestions that the judges miscalculated Aliya's D score, giving her 5.9 instead of the 6.1 she had earned. A source close to the Russian team says that the judge, a Russian, failed to see her quadruple turn.
Of course the judges should get it right; no excuses. There is a technical judge whose sole job it is to note down the elements and calculate the D score; if the limitations of the human eye don't allow time to distinguish between a triple and a quadruple, or to add an extra turn when it has been included, then the judge should have access to video evidence before the score is finalised. The Russian coaching staff should also be more organised and take more responsibility for lodging appeals when mistakes are made. It appears that this was a simple error of recording and calculation, but these mistakes shouldn't happen when scores determine the outcome of competitions that then become part of the historic record of the sport. It all appears rather sloppy and unprofessional.
There has been much comment over the 'lack of choreography' in Mustafina's new floor routine, set to an instrumental version of the Frank Sinatra song 'My Way'. I personally find this rather funny - could it be a self parody? I certainly hope that Aliya has a different cut of the music, and some more compelling dance composition, before the Glasgow World Championships. But aren't we guilty of applying double standards here? On past form the Russians have thrilled with the completeness of their floor routines, generally speaking - remember London. However, it is not as if this added dimension of their work has boosted their marks. We've agreed that deductions have to be applied when steps have been taken on landing, or other errors are made, and that the score is a simple calculation of D+E. Now Mustafina presents a floor routine in which she sticks the tumbling - not forgetting the stumble out of her Memmel - but which is noticeably dance light. And we complain about it. Well really, why should the gymnasts bother with dance at all when the mark is basically D+E + (A x 0)? And is it me, or have the judges taken an autonomous decision to ignore it when a gymnast lands a tumble, but then takes a hop back with both feet, as Steingrueber did three times on Saturday? It is, however, true that neither Mustafina nor Komova's routines were well finished - despite what one commentator here has described as their 'refined' quality of movement.
Incidentally, in an interview with Sports Express that Dolly-Z has translated on her blog, Aliya says that she chose Sergei Starkin as her coach because she 'trusts him'; he arranged for her to go to Germany for her back problem and she largely, I think, credits him with hauling her back from the edge. When asked what on earth you target when you have collected gold medals at all the major competitions, she replied 'a second Olympic gold medal'.
That would be nice to see, Aliya.
And now that Rodionenko is saying that this competition 'determined the team roles' in Glasgow and beyond, I might be a little bit worried if I were David Belyavski. He is beginning to look a little bit like Valentin Mogilny, Artemov's team mate at many World Championships and a beautiful, genius of a gymnast, who ended up sitting on the reserve bench at the 1988 Olympics as Arkayev considered him just too unreliable to merit a full place.
Well actually, I don't expect anything half as dramatic as that - the Russian team doesn't have the depth to leave anyone as great as Belyavski on the bench - but it does seem as though Ignatyev has grabbed the leading role all around for the time being at least. It will be interesting to see if he can repeat that on the World stage, where there will hopefully be two gymnasts from the Russian team in the all around final, one of them Nikita, the other David. Or will Nikita Nagorny have his say? We'll have to see ...David is a very fine gymnast indeed who always does best when he is in the lead and competing for gold. This was evident in the superb performance he gave on parallel bars in the event final - but he too ended up with the 'better than silver' estimate from Rodionenko thanks to partesan judging in favour of Azerbaijan's Oleg Stepko. I suppose it's hard when the audience are baying for gold, but then again I have never particularly understood the reasoning behind a home advantage in gymnastics, other than that the gymnasts themselves perform with more confidence. Especially if the formula is D - E, what remit is there for emotional marking?
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Seda Tutkhalyan : My goal is to become an Olympic Champion!
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| Seda Tutkhalyan in the first day of the team competition at the European Games, 2015, her first major senior competition |
'I'm learning to cope with the excitement. Unfortunately, I often get nervous before the competition. Even though the coach and the girls try to calm me down, I still cannot forget about everything, laugh, talk, as some can. ... I try to smile when on the floor, but I can't always - because what if something doesn't work, how will I be able to smile then? It should always be a sincere smile.
Lena Zamolodchikova is my idol in the gym. She was able to do everything - combinations with a smile, she was able to communicate with the audience. ...
My whole family - mother, father and two older brothers, are my most loyal fans. When I won the all around at the Youth Olympics, my brothers wrote to me, 'Well done! We are very proud of you!'. Vaik - the eldest, he is 24, he is also an athlete, a European and World Champion in Sambo. My middle brother used to do wrestling, but now he is studying economics. ...
I spend most of my life in the gym. Movies? Friends? Yes - I go with friends to the movies, go for a walk in the park. I live in Moscow, close to the 'Ulitsa 1905' metro - there is a park nearby, Krasnopresnensky Park, where you can have a nice walk in the good weather.
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| Seda was expressive on floor in Baku |
We have inherited Dad's character for sport, I think. Now I really want to get to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and I will try very hard. I hope that the coaches will help me. I know that I still need to work hard to upgrade all my routines and to learn to perform the elements cleanly.
My favourite apparatus is beam, but I don't know why. Perhaps because I can learn the elements quickly. I only have problems if I put on weight. In general, my goal is to become an Olympic champion! And overtake my Dad's achievements in sport. ... There is still a lot to do, but if I succeed at the Olympics, then I will immediately overtake him.
My Dad helps me all the time, for example gives me advice on nutrition.
Outside the gym, I enjoy drawing. My mother has a whole folder full of my drawings. I draw different outfits - shorts, shirts, jackets. Sometimes I come up with different styles, like a fashion designer. ...
I don't forget about my earlier victories, I do remember everything, but I try not to exaggerate its importance. I feel like it's cool to be a champion! But then I realise that I have to go further. ...
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After Worlds, I will change my floor music - Aliya Mustafina
Aliya manages a troublesome line of questioning during this Russia 2 interview
A great series of short interviews with some of the main players in last week's European Games - Nikita Ignatyev, Sergei Starkin and Aliya Mustafina. Many, many thanks to Olesya Mikheeva who did the translation.
Nikita: Right away, I got a little upset, you know, falling on one of the easier elements. I had already done all the hardest stuff, I probably let myself go emotionally for a second and lost concentration.
Nikita: "I'm very happy because it's my first medal in the all around, usually it's even hard to qualify into it."
Sergei: "New programme on bars, new programme on floor, and after this competition we'll correct form to prepare for Worlds, so I think in the fall she'll have different form and a stronger programme."
Aliya: "I won't keep this music for long. I'll perform to it at Worlds but then I'm going to change it."
Interviewer: Why? It's beautiful. I think it'd be amazing in Rio if Mustafina performed to 'My Way'.
Aliya: "Well because I already found different music."
Interviewer: You know this composer and the song and what it's about? If Mustafina came to her 2nd Olympics and performed to this song, the people in the stadium would cry.
Aliya: "Well, I don't think the stadium will cry. Primarily I think that the judges are looking at me and I think that by the Olympics, this music will be old already."
- will the other music be happy or something else dramatic?
Aliya: "It will be.... later. I can't say."
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